Device for processing planar parts

ABSTRACT

A device for processing planar parts, in particular plastic substrates, preferably plastic cards, such as credit cards, having a transport apparatus, which defines a conveyance route, and at least two processing stations, which are situated in the conveyance route, the parts being transportable through the processing stations over a processing route, the processing stations comprising conveyance means and processing means, and the conveyance means contacting a first side (bottom side) of the parts for transport and the processing means processing a second side (top side) of the parts, is characterized in that at least one of the processing stations is pivotable or rotatable in such a way that the conveyance means contact the top side of the parts and the processing means process the bottom side of the parts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2008 022 682.3, filed on May, 7, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for processing planar parts, in particular paper and/or plastic substrates, preferably paper or plastic cards, such as credit cards, having a transport apparatus, which defines a conveyance route, and at least two processing stations situated in the conveyance route, the parts being transportable over a processing route through the processing stations, the processing stations comprising conveyance means and processing means, and the conveyance means contacting a first side—bottom side—of the parts for transport and the processing means processing a second side (top side) of the parts.

The present invention fundamentally relates to the processing of arbitrary substrates, for example, the printing of so-called plastic cards. The processing of plastic cards also very frequently relates to the attachment and programming and/or coding of a magnetic strip or other identification and security features. In this regard, reference is made, solely for exemplary purposes, to bank cards, credit cards, telephone cards, identity cards, cards as access authorization, gift cards having storable credit balance, etc.

Devices of the type which forms the species are problematic in that they may exclusively process the parts from one side, namely the same side, in the sequential processing stations. For example, if one wishes to code the magnetic strip of a credit card from the back and subsequently, in a downstream processing station, print an individualizing feature, such as a number or a barcode, on the front side of the credit card, the card must be turned or reversed in the course of the conveyance route, between two processing stations. This is technically complex. In addition, it would be necessary to reorient the card after its handling, i.e., after the turning or reversal, i.e., align it in its position in relation to the conveyance means and thus in relation to the processing stations. This is also extremely complex and always involves the danger that rejects will be produced because of inadequate positioning precision.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of implementing and refining a device of the type which forms the species in such a way that arbitrary planar parts, in particular plastic cards, such as credit cards, may be processed arbitrarily from both sides over the conveyance route, i.e., by individual processing stations, without the part or the card having to be repositioned.

SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The preceding object is achieved by the features of a device for processing planar part as described and claimed herein. According to this claim, the device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the processing stations is pivotable or rotatable in such a way that the conveyance means contact the top side of the parts and the processing means process the bottom side of the parts.

It has been recognized according to the invention that it is not advisable in regard to a part which has been positioned and/or aligned correctly once to handle this part in a cumbersome way for alternate processing on both sides, for example, to displace it from one side onto the other side over the conveyance route. If such handling was performed, this would be critical in regard to a reproducible processing result and a large quantity of rejects would almost automatically be produced.

In a further way according to the invention, it has been recognized that it is possible to maintain the position of the part to be processed over the entire conveyance route, specifically if at least one of the processing stations is pivoted and/or rotated in such a way that the conveyance means and the processing means act on the part or the card precisely in reverse, i.e., each from a different side. In other words, the processing station is pivotable or rotatable in such a way that the conveyance means—after the rotation—contact the top side of the parts and the processing means process the bottom side of the parts.

It is noted at this point that to simplify the terminology, reference is made here to a top side and a bottom side of the part to be processed. This means that the part is contacted from one side for the transport by transport means and is contacted and/or influenced from the other side for processing by processing means. It does not play a role whether a top side or a bottom side is processed first. It is only essential that it is possible in the way according to the invention to change the side to be processed without rotating the card before or in the processing station. To the contrary, the planar part is conveyed unchanged by the transport apparatus, namely both between the processing stations and also through the processing stations. The processing side of the part is defined in that the processing station is pivoted into the desired position, so that the part is processed either from one side or from the other side and is conveyed from the particular other side, namely in the area of the processing station over the processing route. The orientation of the part or the card does not change, not even in the event of a processing change in the meaning of the previously described type.

The processing station is advantageously pivotable by 180° around an axis longitudinal and/or parallel to the conveyance direction, so that the parts run through the processing station in the same direction after it is pivoted as before it is pivoted. Thus, viewed in the conveyance direction, the processing station is rotated by 180° around an axis longitudinal and/or parallel to the conveyance direction, so that the processing station is more or less upside-down afterward. For this purpose, it is to be noted that there is no “correct” or “reversed” position of the processing station. Rather, the processing station has two positions which are rotated by 180°, the part to be processed being able to be processed from one side or from the other side. It is to be noted that it may be necessary to provide the processing means twice or to adapt it in its positioning in accordance with the repositioning, specifically because a magnetic strip to be programmed and/or coded, for example, runs to the left on the card instead of to the right on the card in relation to the processing means, for example.

It is also conceivable that the processing station is pivotable by 180° around an axis transverse to the conveyance direction, preferably orthogonal to the conveyance direction, so that the parts run through the processing station in the reverse direction after the pivoting. In case of such a pivot movement, the processing station is also pivoted upside down, but not rotated viewed in the longitudinal direction, but rather around an axis transverse to the conveyance direction. Such pivoting and/or rotation has the disadvantage that the parts run through the processing station in the reverse direction after the pivoting. Both the conveyance means in the processing station and also the processing means are to be reprogrammed accordingly after pivoting of this type, namely in a reversed direction in regard to the conveyance means and in a reversed sequence of the processing of the part running through in regard to the processing means.

In regard to the handling of the processing station, namely in regard to the pivot/rotation movement to be performed, it is especially advantageous if the processing station may be raised or lowered into a pivot position out of the plane of the conveyance route, i.e., out of the processing station, before the pivoting/rotation. In the pivot position above or below the conveyance route, the pivoting and/or rotation of the processing position is then performed, namely enough beside the conveyance route so that there is no obstruction therein in regard to the pivoting/rotation. In other words, the processing station to be pivoted is first moved out of the conveyance route, rotated and/or pivoted beside the conveyance route, and then moved back into the conveyance route.

To implement the lift movement required in the meaning of the above statements, it is a further advantage if the processing station is fastened to a lift/pivot apparatus having a frame, which may be raised or lowered jointly with the processing station. The processing station is pivotable by 180° on and/or in the frame.

The frame is preferably guided vertically on both sides and may preferably be raised and lowered vertically via a cylinder-piston configuration. It is also conceivable that the processing station may be raised or lowered on the frame, namely along a guide supported by the frame.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the frame and/or the processing apparatus are seated on a bearing or stop in the processing position. The processing station is first lifted out of the bearing, namely raised into the pivot position, when a processing change is imminent. The processing apparatus is pivoted there, locked in the pivoted position, and is lowered jointly with the frame onto the bearing and/or the stop. The processing may then be continued, it possibly being necessary to reprogram both the conveyance means and also the processing means, and/or to assign them a processing program in accordance with the performed direction reversal.

As previously noted, the rotating and/or pivoting of the processing apparatus occurs in the raised state, i.e., in the pivot position. The lift/pivot apparatus specifically comprises a circular or ring guide, in which the entire processing station is pivotable and/or rotatable with the processing apparatus(es) via a corresponding guide element, such as an element in the form of a circular ring. Arbitrary other mechanisms for rotating the processing station are conceivable.

The lifting, on the one hand, and the pivoting, on the other hand, of the processing station may each be performed via an electrical or pneumatic drive. Greatly varying drives may also be used here, namely in accordance with the specific need.

The processing station may be, for example, a coding station for coding a magnetic strip of a plastic card, such as a credit card. While it was typical until now in credit cards to attach both the magnetic strip and also an individualization feature, such as a number, exclusively on the back side of the card, the demand increasingly exists to perform coding on one side of the card and to print for individualization on the other side of the card. This may be implemented in an ideal way using a device according to the invention.

It is conceivable that the coding station comprises at least two, preferably three or even more coding units situated one behind another in the movement direction of the part. The coding units may—in sequence—code strip-type zones of the magnetic strip in sequence.

Fundamentally, the coding unit may be implemented solely as a write unit. The coding unit is advantageously implemented as a combined read/write unit, the coding unit possibly comprising two or three coding/reading zones. The coding units are to be programmed and/or activated/reversed in accordance with the pivot position of the coding station. The run direction of the part and/or the card is to be noted in any case.

In a further advantageous way, one coding unit is used or two coding units are used for the actual coding of the magnetic strip, this being coded in sequence. A further coding unit, such as the third coding unit, may be used for reading back the performed coding and is used for the purpose of checking the coding.

The—further—processing station may be a printing unit for printing the part, preferably the plastic card, such as the credit card. The printing is used for individualization and/or for applying individualizing features. These features may be a running number, a barcode, an image, etc., for example. The printing unit advantageously comprises an inkjet printer.

In view of the above statements, it is to be noted very particularly once again that the invention fundamentally relates to the rotating and/or pivoting of a processing station in the linear conveyance/production process of a part to be processed and/or a corresponding card. While the part and/or the card is typically only processed from one side, it is now possible to process the card on both sides without special handling, namely in that the processing station is rotated and/or pivoted and operates reversed in the conveyance route.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

There are various possibilities for advantageously implementing and refining the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of an exemplary embodiment of the invention on the basis of the drawing. Generally preferred embodiments and refinements of the teaching are also explained in connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention on the basis of the drawing. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention in the area of a processing station,

FIG. 2 shows the object from FIG. 1 in a state raised in relation to the conveyance route,

FIG. 3 shows the object from FIGS. 1 and 2 in a pivoted state, raised in relation to the conveyance route, and

FIG. 4 shows the object from FIGS. 1 through 3 in a state lowered back into the area of the conveyance route after the pivoting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the sake of a simple illustration, FIGS. 1 through 4 show an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention solely in the area of a single processing station 1. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment shown is a device for processing credit cards 2, the credit cards 2 being conveyed over a conveyance route 3 by a transport apparatus (not shown in greater detail).

FIGS. 1 through 4 show the situation in the area of a processing station 1, specifically, this being a coding station. The coding station comprises conveyance means 4. The conveyance means 4 is a belt-like configuration having a suction apparatus. Furthermore, the coding station 1 comprises processing means, three coding units 5 specifically being provided therein. Two of the coding units 5 are used for the zonal and/or strip-by-strip coding and the rear coding unit 5 in the conveyance direction is used for reading back and checking the coding.

FIG. 1 shows the coding station 1 in the processing position, namely in the lowered state. The coding station 1 is lowered onto stops and/or bearings 6, the stops 6 being able to be implemented as cushions.

The coding station 1 is connected as a whole to a lift/pivot apparatus 7, more precisely to a frame 8 provided therein. The frame 8 may be raised and lowered vertically via a cylinder-piston configuration 9.

FIG. 2 shows the coding station I in the raised state, namely in the upper pivot position. The processing station 1 is accordingly lifted off of the stops 6 and raised above the frame 8 along lateral guides 10.

In the illustrations, horizontal pivoting of the entire coding station 1 is performed between FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 shows the coding station 1 in the pivoted and/or reversed state, but still in the upper pivot position. FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the pivot movement of the coding station 1 is performed using a circular/ring guide 11, the coding station 1 being associated rotationally fixed with a corresponding guide element 12. The guide element 12 is situated so it is rotatable in the circular/ring guide 11, further suitable mountings and/or supports being able to be provided.

After the pivot movement of the coding station shown by FIGS. 2 and 3, the station is lowered—in the rotated and/or pivoted state, i.e., upside-down in relation to the original position—into the processing position, i.e., into the area of the conveyance route 3, namely with the aid of the cylinder-piston configuration 9.

FIG. 4 shows the lowered state of the coding station 1, namely back in the processing position, i.e., in the conveyance route 3. The credit cards 2 to be processed may be conveyed into the coding station 1 and through the coding station 1 as in the position shown in FIG. 1, a processing of the credit card 2 being performed from the other side in relation to FIG. 1. The conveying is accordingly also performed from the other side, the credit card 2 itself remaining in the same position, but with reversed processing side.

To avoid repetition, reference is made to the general part of the description in regard to features which may not be inferred from the figures.

Finally, it is to be noted that the exemplary embodiment explained above is used for the exemplary explanation of the claimed teaching, but does not restrict this teaching to the exemplary embodiment. 

1. A device for processing planar parts, in particular paper and/or plastic substrates, preferably paper or plastic cards, such as credit cards, said device comprising: a transport apparatus, which defines a conveyance route, and at least two processing stations, which are situated in the conveyance route, the parts being transportable over a processing route through the processing stations, the processing stations comprising conveyance means and processing means, and the conveyance means contacting a first side of the parts for transport and a processing means processing a second side of the parts, wherein at least one of the processing stations is pivotable or rotatable in such a way that the conveyance means contact the second side of the parts and the processing means process the first side of the parts.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processing station is pivotable by 180° around an axis longitudinal or parallel to the conveyance direction, so that the parts run through the processing station in the same direction after the pivoting as before the pivoting.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processing station is pivotable by 180° around an axis transverse to the conveyance direction, so that the parts run through the processing station in the reverse direction after the pivoting.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the processing station is pivotable by 180° around an axis orthogonal to the conveyance direction.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processing station may be raised or lowered into a pivot position out of the plane of the conveyance route, and is pivotable or rotatable in the pivot position above or below the conveyance route.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the processing station is fastened on a lift/pivot apparatus having a frame, which may be raised or lowered jointly with the processing station, and the processing station is pivotable by 180° on or in the frame.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the frame is preferably vertically guided on both sides.
 8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the frame may be vertically raised and lowered via a cylinder-piston configuration.
 9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the frame or the processing apparatus is seated on a bearing in the processing position.
 10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the lift/pivot apparatus comprises a circular or ring guide, in which the processing station is pivotable or rotatable via a corresponding guide element.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the pivot movement is performed via an electrical or pneumatic drive.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processing station is a coding station for coding the magnetic strip of a card.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the coding station comprises at least two coding units, which are situated one behind another in the movement direction of the part.
 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein a coding unit is implemented as a read/write unit.
 15. The device according to claim 13, wherein a coding unit comprises two or three coding/read zones.
 16. The device according to claim 13, wherein the coding units are programmable or activatable/reversible in accordance with the pivot position of the coding station.
 17. The device according to claim 13, wherein one or more coding units are used for the actual coding of the magnetic strip, and another coding unit is used for reading back the performed coding and for the purpose of checking the coding.
 18. The device according to claim 17, wherein two coding units are used for the actual coding of the magnetic strip, and a third coding unit is used for reading back the performed coding and for the purpose of checking the coding.
 19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processing station is a printing unit for printing the part with a feature used for individualization.
 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the printing unit comprises an inkjet printer. 